West Gate Tunnel backflip bid fuels anger

A residents lobby group has slammed a move to have Hobsons Bay council backflip on its official opposition to the West Gate Tunnel project.

Cr Tony Briffa last month successfully moved to officially oppose the project, expressing anger at increased freight traffic, especially in Millers Road, and the effect of diesel fumes on resident health.

But Hobsons Bay chief executive Chris Eddy has since received notice from a councillor that there will be a move to reverse the council’s official opposition at the December 12 council meeting.

Don’t Destroy Millers Road spokesman Chris Dunlevy said he was disappointed the council could now rescind its official opposition to the project.

“We believe that the community in enormous numbers, the vast majority of the community, do not support this project and have wanted council to oppose it for a very long time,” he said.

“We think our position would have been a lot stronger from day one if they had opposed it.

“We think that the time for sitting back and doing nothing and asking politely is well and truly over.”

In a statement on Friday, mayor Angela Altair said the council would continue to lobby the state government on key priorities, including making Grieve Parade the preferred truck route instead of Millers Road.